[Interview] Kerala agriculture minister: Organic and natural farming will give farmers self reliance and climate resilience

In mid-August 2018 there was a massive flood in Kerala. Two years ago, the state went through a drought. In an interview to Mongabay-India, Kerala Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar said that the state will move to organic and natural farming to strengthen farmers' self reliance and climate resilience. MORE ... 

A farmer returns home from his fields. 

Kerala floods: Time for introspection and amends as the water recedes

In middle of August 2018, Kerala had a once-in-a-century floods. The sorrow and suffering will be wasted if there isn't improved environmental understanding. MORE ... 

The cascade of dams in the Chalakudy, Periyar and Pampa river valleys.

Kole Birders: Learning habitat conservation from the birds

They have different day jobs, but they have one passion in common. They love to watch and photograph birds. Starting from this hobby, this group of citizen scientists have contributed some of the best bird surveys in the country. MORE ...

Birdwatchers in the midst of the kole fields. Photo by Kole Birders. 

Nipah infection in Kerala: Don't blame the bats alone

It is easy to blame the bats without introspecting on public health. MORE ... 

The coasts need science-based policy action

The coasts came into nation's consciousness after the economic reforms were initiated in 1991. Similarly, it is only now that research is understanding the complexities of coastal and marine biodiversity. By diluting conservation rules for the coast, the government is letting this ecosystem be tampered with even before it is understood. MORE ...

Fishing boats anchored off Mumbai coast.

Is the new forest policy draft missing the wood for the trees?

The draft National Forest Policy 2018 has a strong focus for producing wood for industrial use. It is likely to undo the gains made by the National Forest Policy of 1988. MORE ... 

There is much livelihood support from forests for the poor communities living close by.

Is the Supreme Court judgment on Kaveri environmentally sustainable?

The Supreme Court reallocated water from the Kaveri delta to Bengaluru city, in its February 16 order. Is that order environmentally sustainable? MORE ...

Silent Valley: A controversy that focused global attention on a rainforest 40 years ago

In the late 1970s, when the Kerala Government proposed a 120 MW hydro-electric project that would have drowned substantial parts of the Silent Valley rainforests, it did not expect a systematic science-based opposition from a citizen's group, which was picked up nationally and internationally. The final refusal came from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and river Kunthi continues to flow even during worst summers. MORE ... 

Much of these rich rainforests would have been submerged under the reservoir.

The disease burden of Delhi’s smog is among the highest in the world

Delhi and surrounding areas will have to pay a heavy price for the air pollution that the people face during winter. MORE ...